South African television personality and businesswoman Minnie Dlamini has taken a bold legal step against the popular “Podcast and Chill” hosts, MacGyver “MacG” Mukwevho and Sol Phenduka. The media figure has filed a lawsuit at the Equality Court, seeking R2.5 million in damages over what she describes as deeply offensive, defamatory, and sexist remarks made during a recent episode of the show.
The court action, reported by Sunday World, marks a new escalation in the ongoing tension between Minnie Dlamini and Mukwevho. According to the court papers, Dlamini is suing for hate speech, unfair discrimination, and harassment based on her sex and gender.
At the heart of the case are crude and inappropriate comments made by Mukwevho regarding Minnie Dlamini’s personal life, specifically her past romantic relationship with medical doctor Brian Monaisa. During an episode of the podcast, MacG speculated in graphic terms about the possible reasons for the couple’s breakup, implying that Minnie Dlamini’s hygiene could be to blame.
“Why can’t she keep a man? There’s got to be something wrong with her, maybe her coochie smells or something,” Mukwevho said during the broadcast, later adding, “It happens, man, especially with the hot girls.”
The comments sparked public outrage and immediate backlash online, with many social media users accusing the podcast of promoting misogyny and perpetuating harmful stereotypes against women. Though Mukwevho later issued an on-air apology — claiming that his intention was never to offend — Minnie Dlamini found the apology inadequate.
In a heartfelt public statement, Dlamini expressed her decision to take legal action, saying, “What occurred wasn’t banter — it was a grotesque and deeply harmful violation of my dignity, my humanity, and my constitutional rights as a woman.”
According to her legal filing, Minnie Dlamini is demanding R1 million in damages for impairment of dignity and a further R1.5 million to be paid to Women for Change, a non-profit organisation that fights gender-based violence.
Minnie Dlamini Sues ‘Podcast and Chill’ Hosts for R2.5 Million Over Crude Remarks and Gender-Based Harassmen
Beyond financial compensation, Dlamini is also calling for corrective action. She has asked the court to order both Mukwevho and Phenduka to issue a formal, court-approved apology addressed not only to her but to South African women in general. Furthermore, she is requesting that both men undergo mandatory gender sensitisation training — 50 hours each within six months — under the supervision of the Commission for Gender Equality or a designated expert.
Additionally, Minnie Dlamini is demanding that both podcast hosts complete 100 hours of unpaid service at institutions working against gender-based violence, again under the oversight of the Commission for Gender Equality.
The legal action stems not just from the recent remarks, but from what Minnie Dlamini describes as a pattern of abusive behaviour by the podcast. In court filings, she refers to past instances where the podcast hosts made allegations that she exchanged sexual favours for money, and spread false rumours about her personal and professional life. Dlamini’s lawyers argue that these statements amount to hate speech and constitute a sustained campaign of harassment and character assassination.
In a bid to de-escalate tensions, MacG extended an invitation to Dlamini to appear on the show and “squash it” publicly. “This thing started on the podcast, let’s end it on the podcast,” he said. “She said some things, I’ve said some things, let’s squash it once and for all, bro.” Co-host Sol Phenduka, while supporting the idea of reconciliation, expressed doubt that Dlamini would accept the invitation.
That prediction proved accurate, as Dlamini declined the offer and instead opted for legal recourse, indicating that the time for jokes and public banter was over.
Her lawsuit has ignited a wider public debate about the responsibilities of digital content creators and the fine line between humour and hate speech. Activists have applauded Dlamini’s decision to stand up against what they call “normalised misogyny” in South African media and podcast culture.
As the case heads to court, it could set an important precedent for how gender-based harassment and defamation are handled in the country’s increasingly influential podcasting scene. The outcome may shape how far freedom of expression extends in digital media — and when it crosses into unlawful discrimination and abuse.
Source- iol
